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Garcia, Zbydniewski, Neal and Mathis Earn Week 14 Honors

June 14, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release


TULSA, OKLA. - Jacksonville QB AARON GARCIA and Tampa Bay QB BRIAN ZBYDNIEWSKI have been named Russell Athletic Co-Offensive Player of the Week. Tulsa DB J.C. NEAL and Pittsburgh WR JEROME MATHIS have been named Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and JLS Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 14 of the 2011 AFL season. In addition to these three awards, the AFL is also awarding the best catch of the week, the playmaker of the week and the highlight of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week award winner for Week 14 is WR AL HUNT of the Tulsa Talons, while the NiFTy Playmaker of the Week is Jacksonville WR/DB JERON HARVEY. The Spalding Highlight of the Week award winner is Spokane DB TERRANCE SANDERS.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Garcia (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) finished 24-of-38 for 329-yards and eight touchdowns in Jacksonville's victory over the Orlando Predators on Saturday, 68-67. Garcia ranks second in the AFL in passing efficiency (125.4) and has tallied 3,174 passing yards this season. Zbydniewski (6-1, 190, Belhaven) completed 24 of his 34 passes for 372-yards and eight touchdowns in the Storm's victory over the Pittsburgh Power, 62-55. Zbydniewski finished the game completing 70.6 percent of his passes. Zbydniewski broke three of his previous career single- game highs including yards, touchdowns and completion percent.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Neal (6-0, 200, North Carolina State) notched six tackles, two interceptions for touchdowns and an onside kick return for a touchdown in Tulsa's Week 14 victory over the Utah Blaze, 81-51. Neal ranks tied for third in the AFL with interceptions returned for touchdowns (2) and interception return yards (104). Neal also ranks eighth in total tackles (70.0).

JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Mathis (6-0,195, Hampton University) collected 12 receptions for 195-yards, and three touchdowns in a losing cause at Tampa Bay. Mathis also recorded in total five returns for 138-yards, including a 57-yard return for a touchdown. Mathis tallied 333 all-purpose yards.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK

Hunt (5-11, 205, Northwestern Oklahoma State) hauled in a 7-yard, touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Allgood in the second quarter with 55 seconds left on the clock. The touchdown gave Tulsa a 34-33 lead. NIFTY PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK Harvey (6-5, 220, Houston) posted 10 receptions for 145-yards and four touchdowns in Jacksonville's, 68-67, victory against Orlando. Harvey also scampered for one rushing touchdown.

SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Sanders (5-10, 180, Eastern Illinois) intercepted a Ryan Vena pass. Before being tackled, Sanders tossed the ball to Beau Bell for a 19-yard return for a touchdown in Spokane's, 75-54, victory over Philadelphia. Sanders leads the Shock in interceptions (4) and ranks fourth in the AFL with 1,046 kickoff return yards.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Spokane's Erik Meyer, Cleveland's Kurt Rocco, Jacksonville's Aaron Garcia, Tampa Bay's Brian Zbydniewski, Tulsa's Troy McBroom, Milwaukee's Dwayne Eley, Jr. and Arizona's Nick Davila.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Spokane's Terrance Sanders, Cleveland's Joe Phinisee, Jacksonville's Micheaux Robinson, Tampa Bay's Jermaine Smith, Tulsa's J.C. Neal, Milwaukee's Antonio Malone, Arizona's Kevin McCullough, and Arizona's Marquis Floyd.

JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Spokane's Antwan Marsh, Georgia's CJ Johnson, Orlando's Josh Bush, Pittsburgh's Jerome Mathis Tampa Bay's Jermaine Smith, Tampa Bay's Tim McGill, Tulsa's Jamar Ransom, Kansas City's Bradly Chavez and Arizona's Rod Windsor,

The Arena Football League is also awarding the National Guard MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner on Facebook and ArenaFootball.com. Candidates include Tulsa DB JC NEAL, Tampa Bay QB BRIAN ZBYDIEWSKI and Spokane QB ERIK MEYER. The winner will be announced on Thursday, June 16, 2011.

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